tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,870
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Post by tritto on Sept 19, 2018 20:51:35 GMT -8
Hey all. A few weeks ago I arranged to meet a guy on the side of the road outside a closed betting outlet after dark in a semi industrial area to buy a watch. As you can imagine, I didn't tell my wife the full story 😳 What had dragged me out on a cold winter Tuesday night? I pulled up behind his car and jumped in the front seat (I wore a very modest watch and took only the cash necessary to pay the asking price). We exchanged greetings and he pulled the watch out of a little jewellers bag. I couldn't examine it closely in the light available. The watch wasn't running but the price was not high and I figured the risk was worth taking. I dropped it into a local watchmaker the next day for an inspection and less than a week later he called to say he'd serviced the movement. The only part that needed replacing was the escape wheel, which had a broken pivot. I set about ordering some Omega parts from Cousins - crystal (the one fitted was generic), crown (the gasket was clapped out), caseback gasket, and a case clamp screw to replace the missing one. I haven't been able to find the correct case clamp (part 265-1911), so had to fashion my own. Last night I got it finished and tweaked the regulation. Now this model should have radium lume and broad arrow hands. However, it looks like the hands have been replaced with the only service hands that fit this movement and the radium has been scraped off, leaving only the underlying yellowed paint. If anyone has a lead on the case clamp or correct hand set, I'd really appreciate hearing about it. Here are the correct hands. So, what does it look like now? I'm bloody pleased with the way it turned out.
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,870
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Post by tritto on Sept 19, 2018 20:59:39 GMT -8
The backstory on this model is that it was intended to be a budget Seamaster. It was produced for only 1-2 years in 1958/9 and was a commercial failure. Apparently it was meant for the American market, but well healed buyers buyers baulked at buying a watch called Ranchero - which translates from Spanish to English as ranch hand or something similar.
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Post by DAHASCO on Sept 20, 2018 2:16:01 GMT -8
Really a Classic look IMHO, Strap suits it perfectly, What's not to like ? One could go off and collect these too
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Post by russtmurray on Sept 20, 2018 3:19:28 GMT -8
What a terrific catch & recovery. Too bad Omega won't try to introduce another "budget" entry although I suspect their version of budget vs my version might be different! Perhaps Omega's timing was off, given that Ford introduced their Ranchero back in '57 ?
Congratulations.
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small
WS Benefactor
Posts: 2,454
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Post by small on Sept 20, 2018 3:46:30 GMT -8
Great save. While the hands are replacement; I think they look much better than the originals, which look like those fuond on cheap dive watches from the 60's.
Is that one of your straps?
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,870
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Post by tritto on Sept 20, 2018 3:55:44 GMT -8
Great save. While the hands are replacement; I think they look much better than the originals, which look like those fuond on cheap dive watches from the 60's. Is that one of your straps? Yes, it's one of mine. I made it especially for this watch.
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mikeyt
Needs a Life!
Krusty Olde Pharte
Posts: 4,821
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Post by mikeyt on Sept 20, 2018 4:18:23 GMT -8
The backstory on this model is that it was intended to be a budget Seamaster. It was produced for only 1-2 years in 1958/9 and was a commercial failure. Apparently it was meant for the American market, but well healed buyers buyers baulked at buying a watch called Ranchero - which translates from Spanish to English as ranch hand or something similar. I really like that watch. I like most of the vintage Omegas that I have seen. Not sure why the Ranchero name was a drag on it, though. Ford introduced their Ranchero ute in 1957.
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,663
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Post by HiBeat on Sept 20, 2018 6:48:12 GMT -8
OMG Tristan that is an amazing story to match an incredible watch. Congratulations !!!
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Post by Groundhog66 on Sept 20, 2018 7:17:18 GMT -8
I'm really diggin' that one, what a great acquisition!
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longbike
Is a Permanent Fixture
Aqualand Addict
Posts: 6,396
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Post by longbike on Sept 20, 2018 12:05:31 GMT -8
The backstory on this model is that it was intended to be a budget Seamaster. It was produced for only 1-2 years in 1958/9 and was a commercial failure. Apparently it was meant for the American market, but well healed buyers buyers baulked at buying a watch called Ranchero - which translates from Spanish to English as ranch hand or something similar. I really like that watch. I like most of the vintage Omegas that I have seen. Not sure why the Ranchero name was a drag on it, though. Ford introduced their Ranchero ute in 1957. Mickey Good Cars to have and work with Mickey. I worked them to the bone too. Me and My partners had Two of them and a trailer when we were Drag Racing in the ... 60's and one was use to tow these around and parts. Aloha Louis Bakersfield Raceway , California Than Later on This one:
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longbike
Is a Permanent Fixture
Aqualand Addict
Posts: 6,396
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Post by longbike on Sept 20, 2018 12:07:42 GMT -8
Hey all. A few weeks ago I arranged to meet a guy on the side of the road outside a closed betting outlet after dark in a semi industrial area to buy a watch. As you can imagine, I didn't tell my wife the full story 😳 What had dragged me out on a cold winter Tuesday night? I pulled up behind his car and jumped in the front seat (I wore a very modest watch and took only the cash necessary to pay the asking price). We exchanged greetings and he pulled the watch out of a little jewellers bag. I couldn't examine it closely in the light available. The watch wasn't running but the price was not high and I figured the risk was worth taking. I dropped it into a local watchmaker the next day for an inspection and less than a week later he called to say he'd serviced the movement. The only part that needed replacing was the escape wheel, which had a broken pivot. I set about ordering some Omega parts from Cousins - crystal (the one fitted was generic), crown (the gasket was clapped out), caseback gasket, and a case clamp screw to replace the missing one. I haven't been able to find the correct case clamp (part 265-1911), so had to fashion my own. Last night I got it finished and tweaked the regulation. Now this model should have radium lume and broad arrow hands. However, it looks like the hands have been replaced with the only service hands that fit this movement and the radium has been scraped off, leaving only the underlying yellowed paint. If anyone has a lead on the case clamp or correct hand set, I'd really appreciate hearing about it. Here are the correct hands. So, what does it look like now? I'm bloody pleased with the way it turned out. Tristan , That it a real beauty and hope you get to find the Case Back and proper hands, but those look great. Louis
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Post by DAHASCO on Sept 20, 2018 13:06:58 GMT -8
Tristan, Tristan, I keep coming back to this thread because of the Watch, Falling a bit for it, Thanks. But it is the Strap that sets off that watch perfectly, Damn Good Looking Strap... I mean Watch :winner:
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Post by mcgruber on Sept 20, 2018 14:38:59 GMT -8
:winner: That is one sharp piece! Great job start to finish.
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,870
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Post by tritto on Sept 20, 2018 17:52:07 GMT -8
Tristan, Tristan, I keep coming back to this thread because of the Watch, Falling a bit for it, Thanks. But it is the Strap that sets off that watch perfectly, Damn Good Looking Strap... I mean Watch :winner: Thank you, David. You need to start making straps. Once you get a bit of practice they're not difficult (although they can be time consuming). I am very pleased with how this one came out.
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,663
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Post by HiBeat on Sept 20, 2018 21:21:11 GMT -8
May I add the strap you made for me really is quite comfortable. A lot of guys are offering leather straps but if you ever quit your day job I am ready and willing to buy some and promote your brand.
Well done with this one on all fronts Sir.
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Post by 69ChevelleSS on Sept 21, 2018 10:07:52 GMT -8
Congrats Tristan. It's a beauty!
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Post by DAHASCO on Sept 28, 2018 7:34:07 GMT -8
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Post by leffemonster on Sept 28, 2018 7:48:21 GMT -8
$10,500???
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Post by DAHASCO on Sept 28, 2018 7:53:05 GMT -8
$10,500??? Right ?
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GuyJ
Needs a Life!
Whitley Bay, UK
Posts: 2,860
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Post by GuyJ on Sept 28, 2018 9:48:30 GMT -8
That's a very smart Omega, Tristan. Nice strap aswell. I like the hands on it, too.
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